La Bohème review – Death stalks Puccini’s lovers in a riveting Glyndebourne show
Floris Visser’s new production puts a dark spin on this story of doomed lovers – which only heightens the life-affirming vibrancy of the music
The week in classical: The Wreckers; Kirill Gerstein
Ethel Smyth’s long-neglected maelstrom of an opera is worth a plunge; and pianist Kirill Gerstein is on peak form in Liszt
The Wreckers review – Glyndebourne bring Smyth’s rarity to vivid and passionate life
Director Melly Still and conductor Robin Ticciati have done Ethel Smyth’s 1906 opera proud, with dynamic and intense performances from an excellent cast and chorus.
The week in classical: Fidelio; Gabriela Montero – review
The introduction of a new character does Beethoven’s great opera no favours. Elsewhere, there’s breathtaking invention – with a little help from Charlie Chaplin
Fidelio review – musically excellent but panopticon staging is overloaded
Frederic Wake-Walker’s production for Glyndebourne on Tour adds video and even a new character to Beethoven’s opera
Tristan und Isolde review – Ticciati impresses in pared back Wagner
Fine conducting by Robin Ticciati and superb playing by the London Philharmonic Orchestra lift this semi-staged Wagner
Luisa Miller review – Verdi’s dark tragedy gains focus and ferocity in stark staging
Mané Galoyan is a revelation as Luisa, a radiant presence in Christof Loy’s production with a slimmed down but still striking London Philharmonic Orchestra
The week in classical: Káťa Kabanová; Ragged Music festival – review
Janáček’s darkest of operas provided a searing start to Glyndebourne’s new season
Il Turco in Italia review – exceptional ensemble cast create perfect escapism
Rossini’s comedy is brilliantly reimagined by Mariame Clément as a Pirandello-esque farce
Kát’a Kabanová review – festival opens with sideways rain and raw, stunning Janáček
The bleakness of the May weather suited this stark new production by Damiano Michieletto, which was superbly sung and exquisitely played by the LPO under Robin Ticciati
The week in classical: In the Market for Love; Oxford lieder festival; Wexford Festival Opera – review
A silly but delightful staging of Mesdames de la Halle is an Offen-ready treat, while haunting lieder and free transportation to Ireland’s National Opera House are not to be missed
In the Market for Love review – first-rate singers elevate flimsy one-acter
There is much to enjoy and celebrate in this colourful staging of Offenbach’s short opera, not least the care and enthusiasm of the principals and tiny chorus
The week in classical: Don Pasquale; Rigoletto; Zauberland – review
Everything revolves around Bryn Terfel’s tremendous, tragicomic Don Pasquale, while Verdi holds his own in a concept-laden Rigoletto
The week in classical: Proms 32, 34 & 35; Rinaldo review – happy returns all round
Proms veterans Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim work their magic once more
The week in classical: Proms 1 & 7; L’arlesiana; Il segreto di Susanna/ Iolanta; Die Zauberflöte – review
The 125th BBC Proms get off to a flying start, Opera Holland Park is on a roll, and the Queen of the Night gets a new day job